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12a - First of laws, a negative principle to beat (3,4)
_ _Y / _N_ _

and 1a
No-win situation beginning to show, company having turned the screw (5,4)
S_ _ _E / _ _ _ _
(Is this stale-mate? Dont really get it if so)

Many thanks

12a is lay into

score draw

s co (company) redraw (which is warder backwards slang term for this is screw)

Thanks sally and djawhufc - brilliant explanation :)